Sheet metal treating machine



Dec. 22, 1942. c. s. WOOLFORD 2,305,655

SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1941 10 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 Dec. 22, 1942. c. s. WOOLFORD 'SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 m s 3 3 3 \c Q \3 v Q 1 NM at g Q ww kw Dec. 22, '1942. c. s. WOOLFORD 2,305,655

SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1941 lo Sheets-Sheet 3 mam Dec. 22, 1942. c.- s. WOOLFORD SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July'l2, 1941 lO'Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 22, 1942.

c. s. WOOLFORD SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 s \M M \m RNA M M o RN @N n .RN NWW a? E .Q w QM v. RN 1% M 5/ \M N 6 M u a|/|H HH'W v @f. Q E R ax mm :3 \\\L w Mam \m 5 5 a \a Q a QM Q s 2 wk a N 3 N hmv 1942- c. s. WOOLFORD 2,305,655

SHEET IETAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1941, 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 22, 1942. c. s. WOOLFORD SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 1942- c. s. WOOLFORD 2,305,655

SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE I Filed July 12, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 MFA- JAWAJM m s Dec. 22, 1942.

C. S. WOOLFORD SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 i ,1 14% M 475 6 Hf if 5/4 1/. I}; v j/sr p7 Dec. 22, 1942. c. s. WOOLFORD SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1941 10 Sheets$heet l0 I I 6 rh/ I IT M 0 M r/// IIIIIII Patented Dec. 22 1942 1 SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Castle 8. Woolford, South Orange, N. 1., assignor corporation of New Jersey to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., an

Application July 12, 1941, Serial No. 402,225

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for treating sheet material and has particular reference to the treatment incident to the preparation of those areas of metallic sheet surfaces which ultimately are joined or seamed by soldering or welding.

In can manufacture, sheets or strips of steel or iron, usually referred to as black plate, are coated with tin to produce the well known commercial tinplate. Blanks cut from tinplate are formed into cylindrical shape, and the edges of each blank are joined in a side seam to produce a tubular can body. Such a side seam may be made by the overlapping or interfolding of the blank edges and the firm bonding of the engaging edges by soldering or welding,

In the packaging of some products, it has been suggested that cans manufactured from untinned black plate be used, but dlfliculty has been en countered in the soldering or welding of the side seams of black plate cans. This is due to the presence of oxide on the black plate, along the areas to be bonded. The same difllculty arises in the use of metallic sheets other than those mentioned. The oxide on the surfaces of these sheets being the source of the diiliculty. preparation for soldering, welding and the like my be eilected by deoxidizing all or preferably the'side seam areas of the sheet surfaces.

The present invention provides a solution to this problem in a machine for removing oxide from predetermined areas of the sheets by treatment with a deo'xidizing medium so that those areas subsequently entering into seams or joints may be efficiently soldered or welded.

An object of the invention is the provision of a machine wherein a liquid deoxidant may be applied to the sheets or blanks to remove the oxide from predetermined areas in preparation for their manufacture into cans or the like.

Another object is the provision of a machine of this character wherein the liquid deoxidant may be heated and applied in a smooth flowing stream to predetermined portions of each sheet so that subsequently, these portions may be efflciently soldered or welded together to produce a tight seam or joint adequate to withstand strains such as those produced in hermetically sealed containers.

Another object is the provision of such a machine wherein the sheets are immediately washed with heated water after deoxidation, to remove any excess of the deoxidizing agent and other wise cleanse the sheets.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for closely adjusting the deoxidant and water spraying means to the most aavantageous and efllcient positions with respect to the sheets to-be treated.

Another object of the invention is to increase the efllciency'of the deoxidizing and cleansing operations by maintaining the deoxidant and the water at uniform elevated temperatures by thermostatic controls.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a machine of this nature, of means for removing drops or globules of free moisture from the sheets after the washing operation, then thoroughly drying the sheets to remove, by evaporation, any moisture remaining upo'n'the sheets.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means in such a machine whereby the sheets are moved continuously through the several stages of treatment.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a small scale plan view of the ma-- chine; I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine on the same scale as Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 3-4 in Fig. 1 but including only that part of the machine contained within the dot and dash outline CEJH in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along the line 44 in Fig. 3 and showing a chain feed drive at the feed end of the machine;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section also taken along the section line 3-4, Fig. 1 and is a continuation of Fig. 3 but including only that part of the machine contained within the dot and dash outline E-F-K-J of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section also taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1 but showing only that part of the machine contained within the dot and dash outline A-B-F--D of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a continuation of Figs. 5 and 6 being an enlarged vertical longitudinal section taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1 but including only that part of the machine contained within the dot and dash outline FGLK of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the machine at the feed end;

Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section taken through a side guide adjustment mechanism as viewed along the line 9--9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view at the discharge end of the machine;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section through the machine being indicated by the straight and stantially along the broken line l2--l2 in Fig. 3 and showing the suction feed parts for feeding the body blank;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail taken along the line |3--'l3 in Fig. 3, showing the crank drive to a reciprocating blank feed;

Fig. 14 is an elevation of the upper part of the discharge end of' the machine with parts broken away to more clearly disclose certain details as viewed along the broken line I4-l4 in Fig.

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram of a direct current electrical circuit used in the machine;

Fig. 16 is a wiring diagram of an alternating current electrical circuit;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged section through an acid discharge nozzle as viewed along the line l'l-l'l in Fig. 5;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detailed transverse vertical section through a row of water nozzles as taken along the line l8-l8 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 19 is a detailed transverse vertical section of a sheet blotting device, taken substantially along the line |9--l9 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 20 is a detailed transverse vertical section through an air-blast unit taken along the line 2020 in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 21v is an enlarged detailed transverse vertical section through a radiant heat dryer or evaporator as taken along the line 2I2| in Fig. 10.

The drawings disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention whereby metallic sheets or can body blanks, indicated by the letter S, are deoxidized, washed and dried in preparation for seaming by a soldering or welding operation. To this end, the sheets are fed, in substantially vertical position, through descending streams of heated deoxidant, such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid. For deoxidizing side seam areas only, these streams are directed at marginal opposite edges of the blank destined to enter into the seams to be formed. These treated areas are then washed by similar streams of heated water which cleanse the deoxidized areas.

The moisture on the cleansed areas is then removed from the sheets or blanks in several stages. First, while the sheets are moving in vertical position, the larger drops of water drain from them,'leaving some water still clinging to r the lower edge. This clinging water is then removed by rotating blotters, but globules still remaining on the margins are subsequently removed by air blasts. Finally, the treated areas are subjected to radiant heat rays which evap- M crate the remainder of the adhering moisture. The dried sheets or blanks are then stacked by discharge mechanism for removal from the machine. However, they could be transferred, by suitable conveying means, immediately to the soldering or welding machine on which the seams are to be made.

These blanks or sheets S are fed singly and in timed order, from a magazine or stack 3| on the entrance or feed end, which is the left end of the machine as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. The blanks are retained in a substantially vertical stack by supports 32 mounted on .a table 33 secured upon a main housing frame 34, which extends substantially the full length of the machine and is supported upon a structural steel base frame 35 Blanks areremoved from the bottom of the stack 3| and are placed upon the table 33 by a suction separator 36 (Figs. 3, 5, 8 and 12) slidtion gearing 48 and a belt drive 49, by a motor.

50. The purpose and manner of actuating the clutch 46 will be stated hereinafter in a description of the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 15, the primary clutch actuating means being an 'electromagnet 5|.

Linkage of slide 43 with shaft 45, comprises a pair of levers 56 and 51 keyed to a shaft 58 journaled in bearings 59 formed in the table 33 and a link 6| pivotally connected at one end with eccentric 44 and at the other end with the free extremity of lever 51. Through this linkage, lever 56 is oscillated and its movement is translated into vertical rectilinear motion of the slide 43 through a rack and segment connection 62 between lever 56 and slide 43.

The cup 42, when at the top of its stroke, engages the lowermost blank in the stack and is in communication through suitable channels, pipes, and valves with a vacuum pump, or other vacuum source not shown. A suction grip is thus maintained as the blank is withdrawn from the stack and is placed upon the table on the downward stroke of the cup. Simultaneously, communication with the vacuum source is disconnected by a control valve 65 located in the vacuum line and actuated through a bell crank 66, a link rod 81 and a lever 88 which is keyed to the shaft 58. Soon after the vacuum communication is thus cut oil, the blank has reached the table and suction in the cup 42 is broken by actuation of a vent valve ll arranged in the line as through a lever I2 keyed to the shaft 58. Suction control is thus synchronized with the vertical movements of the cup.

Having been thus released from the suction cup 42, the blank is engaged by a pair of dogs 15 located on a horizontally reciprocating feed slide 16, whereby the blank is carried forward. Slide 16 (Fig. 9) is mounted in guideways I1 formed in the table 33 and is caused to reciprocate therein by a crank 18 to which it is connected by means of a link 19. (See Figs. 3 and 13.) Crank I8 is keyed to a vertical shaft 8| journaled in a bearing 82 formed in an adjustable slide 83 set in ways 84 cut in the upper portion of a housing 85 mounted upon the base frame 35. Shaft 8| is driven from the horizontal drive shaft 45 through the medium of bevel gears 86 and 81 keyed respectivelyto the shafts 45 and 8 I.

A wide range of sheet or blank sizes may be accommodated by this machine, so provision is made for the adjustment of the horizontal feed to insure proper delivery of blanks of a given length. This adjustment is effected by rotation of a threaded shaft 9| which is journaled in a bearing 92 formed in the housing 85 and which is restrained from axial movement by a plate 93 bolted to the housing and by a retaining shoulder 94 of the shaft held within an annular confining groove 95 formed in the outer end of the bearing 92. The inner end of the shaft Bl threadedly engages a lug 96 formed on the under side of the slide 83 so that rotation of the shaft 9| will effect longitudinal adjustment, with respect to the machine, of the slide, together withfeed slide 13, above, and bevel gears 33 and 31, below.

As each blank 8 is advanced overthe table 33 by the feed dogs 15 to the full stroke of the crank 15, the blank is attracted toward the table by a series of permanent magnets III, mounted upon but located beneath the plane of the table surface, whereby the frictional engagement between blank and table is increased and the blank is maintained in the position to which it has been advanced. Other auxiliary feed dogs I02 of well known construction in sheet feeding mechanism, are spring pressed or yieldingly mounted upon the feed slide 15 in advance of dogs 15 by substantially the length of the feed stroke, and these dogs I32, by virtue of theirspring pressed mounting, are depressed and pass back, under the blank fed by dogs 15, on the return stroke of slide 13. The blank next is advanced by the dogs I32 and subuquently is advanced further in its step by step movement at each stroke of the slide, by other dogs I52 in advance and likewise mounted and spaced upon the slide 15 until the blank reaches the end of table 33.

While being thus advanced over table 33, the blanks are restrained from excessive lateral movement by adjustable lateral guides I05 slidably mounted on table 33 (Figs. 8 and 9). To accommodate a particular width of blank, these guides may be moved laterally of the direction of blank movement, without disturbing their parallel relationship to each other and to the path of sheet travel. This movement of one or the other of the guides I05 may be effected by applying a suitable wrench or other tool on a square end I45 of either of two screw shafts I01 associated with each guide I05. Turning of the screw shaft the requisite amount in the proper direction provides the required adjustment.

The shafts I01 are joumaled in bearings I05 formed in the under side of the table 33, each shaft being held against axial movement by a collar I35 pinned to the shaft on one side and a sprocket III pinned on the shaft on the other side of the bearing I05. A sprocket chain II2 engages each pair of sprockets associated with each particular guide so that when one shaft I05 is turned, the other is rotated a like amount in the same direction. The inner end II 3 of each shaft I01 is in threaded engagement with a downwardly projecting lug II4, secured to the guide I05 there being two lugs for the two shafts associated with each guide.

and which also take over a like pair of sprockets I25 (Figs. 5 and 10) at the discharge end of the conveyor, all of which sprockets are positively driven to avoid creating unnecessary tension in the links of the chain.

This positive drive is effected with power derived from the main drive shaft 41, through a bevel gear drive I23 associated with the drive shaft 41 at the discharge end of the machine and located within a main drive housing I21 (Fig. 5) secured to the base frame 35. The drive I25 The requisite amount of adjustment desired is thus obtained by the simultaneous rotation of the twoshafts unites the drive shaft 41 with an intermediate shaft I23 extending at right angles to the drive shaft, being journaled at its lower extremity in a bearing I23 formed in the drive housing I21. The upper extremity of the intermediate shaft I25 is journaled in an upper'drive housing I wherein another bevel gear drive I33 unites, in driving relationship, the intermediate shaft I23 with a horizontal upper drive shaft I31. Shaft I31 extends through the housing I35 and is journaledvin bearings I33 formed in the housing I35 and also is journaled at its extremities, in a hearing I33 (Fig. 5) and in a bearing I (Fig. 3). Bearing III is formed in a discharge end transmission box I and bearing I 40 is formed in a feed end transmission box I42, the transmission boxes being mounted upon opposite ends of a reservoir or bath frame I43.

The shaft I31 extending between the transmission boxes I, I42 drives the sprockets I25 and I24 through suitable gearing. A typical gearing for this purpose will be described in connection with the box I42 shown in Fig. 4. Such a gearing comprises a worm I45 keyed to the inner extremity of shaft I 31 which meshes with a worm wheel I41 keyed to an intermediate shaft I45 journaled in the transmission box and having keyed to it a drive gear I45. Drive gear I49 meshes with an idler gear I5I freely mounted on a shaft I52 likewise journaied in the transmission box I42. The idler gear meshes in turn with an upper gear I53 keyed to a sprocket shaft I54 which extends through and is journaled in the transmission box. The shaft I54 outside of the box also is journaled in a bearing I formed in abracket I51 bolted to the end of reservoir frame 3. sprocket shaft I54 on opposite sides of the bearing I55.

In the same manner the sprockets I 25 are driven from the shaft I31 where it extends into the transmission box I. A sprocket shaft I5I journaled in a bearing I52 formed in a bracket I53 secured to the other end of the reservoir frame I83 carries the two sprockets I25 (see also Fig. 1

The conveyor chains, thus driven by the sprockets I24 and I25, also take over idler sprockets I54 (Fig. 5) located at the discharge end of the machine. These sprockets are keyed to a shaft I55 journaled in the bracket I53. At the feed-in end of the machine (Figs. 3 and 4) tightener sprockets I55 are keyed to a short shaft I51. This shaft is mounted in the upper web of an inverted U-shaped adjustment lever I55 the legs of which carry a pivot shaft I59 mounted on the bracket I51. A set screw carried in the adjustment lever provides for tightening the chains as desired.

As the chains pass over the reservoir frame I43 they are supported on rails I10 secured to the frame. The closely spaced prongs I22 previously mentioned are light in weight and are designed for keeping the blanks in spaced parallel position during treatment in the machine. Thus a single blank S may be supported in proper position while being confined between adjacent prongs on the two chains.

Each blank 3 picked up by a pair of prongs I22 (Fig. 3) from the feed table 33, while being lifted is rotated radially about the center of the sprocket shaft thus passing from a horizontal to a vertical position while being retained by the closely spaced prongs. After the deoxidizing and washing treatment, the blank reaches the dis- The two sprockets I 24 are keyed to the charge end of the conveyor when it is rotated, while held in radial position about the center of the sprocket shaft I6I (Fig. 5), from a vertical to a horizontalposition.

During the time that the blanks are retained in their vertical position on the conveyor, they are confined within a treating chamber I1I contained in suitable housing frames I12 (Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 11) secured upon the main fram 34. The frames I12 conflne the reservoir frame I43 which is laterally heat insulated from the frame I12. A ventilating system I13, mounted in the top and communicating with the interior of chamber I1I, removes injurious fumes which may be generated within the chamber, such fumes being carried away to some remote point where their injurious effects will be dissipated.

Soon after the blanks enter the treating chamher "I, they are treated from above with a deoxidizing fluid such as a hydrochloric or sulphuric acid solution, streams of which are directed against the upper lateral edges of the sheets, the liquid flowing down over the marginal strips: or edges which constitute the seam areas for soldering or welding.

The deoxidant solution is stored in an acid bath I16 (Fig. 11) formed in the reservoir frame I143, from which it is withdrawn through a conduit I11 by an acid pump unit I18. Such a unit is carried by and is secured to the base frame 35. The liquid from the discharge end of the pump passes upwardly through an ascending conduit II-9 to a transverse header, I8I from which the solution is distributed through a pair of flexible conduits I82 (see also Fig. 6) to manifolds I83 arranged on both sides of the machine. Each manifold is supported, above the path of the moving blanks, on an adjustable frame work which will be described hereinafter. Acid stream nozzles I85 are threaded into the lower wall of each manifold, from which they extend down in a row to within a short distance of the upper edges of the passing blanks. Each manifold contains two chambers, an acid distributing chamber I86 into which the flexible conduits I82 lead and a water distributing chamber I81.

The deoxidant distributed to the nozzles I85 from the chambers I86, enters each nozzle through a restricted entrance I88 (Fig. 17) of an expanding orifice I89 in which a partial vacuum is created causing a reduced velocity in the flow of the liquid through the adjoining passageway, indicated by the numeral I90. This form the stream which emerges from the nozzle and which flows upon the predetermined marginal areas at the front and rear of each passing blank. Such streams provide for sufiicient and full exposure to the deoxidant, whereby the entire lengths of the margins are treated by the descending oleoxidant. Excess of deoxidizing solution passing downwardly between the blanks falls back into the acid bath I16 located directly below.

As the blanks, continuing along their horizontal path of travel, advance beyond the curtains of deoxidant and from the acid bath, they next pass over a water bath I95 (Fig. 5). This bath is located at the discharge end of the reservoir frame I43. The blanks pass under a series of water nozzles I96 (see also Fig. 18) disposed in similar manner to that of the acid nozzles I85.

Water is projected upon the same lateral margins of the passing blanks which have been acid treated as just described.

Water supplied to nozzles I96, is stored in the bath I95 from which it is drawn through a conduit I91 by a water pump unit I98 secured to the base frame 35. From the pump discharge end, the water is forced upwardly through an ascending conduit I99 to a transverse water header 20I (Fig. 6) from which the water is distributed through a pair of flexible conduits 202 to the water distributing chambers I81 formed in the manifolds I83. Water nozzles I96 (Fig. 18) are threadedly secured to the under sides of the manifolds in communication with the chambers I81 and being formed structurally in substantially the same manner as the acid nozzles also produce curtains of descending wa:

ter streams through which the blank margins,

previously treated with acid, are passed. However, the water curtains preferably are somewhat wider than the acid curtains so that the blank margins will be cleansed thoroughly by the water.

As the blanks pass from the water curtains, water continues to drip from their lower edges into the water bath I95. However some partially formed drops remain clinging to the edges. These drops next are blotted from the edges by absorbent or blotter rolls 205 (Figs. 5, 10,19) which may be keyed to the sprocket shaft I6I. Each blank next is rotated from its vertical position on the conveyor to its horizontal position which brings it to a discharge table 206 (Figs. 5, '1 and 10) fastened to a sub-table 201 supported upon and secured to the main frame 34. The blanks are now ready for subsequent treatment which will be hereinafter described.

Both the deoxidant fluid and the water which are flowed upon the blanks are heated, a temperature suitable for the most effective action of the deoxidant being maintained under automatic control. Heating of the fluid in either the acid or water baths for this purpose is effected by injecting steam, obtained from any suitable source, into the fluid near the bottom of the bath. The heating control systems being substantially alike for both deoxidant and water, a description of the deoxidant control will suffice for both, appropriate references being made to the water systems where necessary.

Steam, from any suitable source, not shown, passes from a pipe 2 (Fig. 3) through a thermostat control valve 2I2 and piping 2I3 to a perforated pipe 2" (see also Fig. 5) located within and near the bottom of the acid bath I16. A similar pipe 2I4 may extend in the bottom of the water bath I and may have its own control valve 2 I2 and pipe connection 2I3.

The valve 2I2 is controlled by a thermostatic or heat-sensitive controlling device 2I5 (Fig. 6) suitably positioned to extend into the acid header I8I and into the water header 20I or in any other position where it will be in intimate contact with the flowing fluid therein. Such temperature control of a liquid is well known and it is believed need not be shown further. It may be said, however, that there is a connection between the thermostatic controlling device 2I5 and the control valve 2I2 whereby the valve is kept open and steam is allowed to enter the fluid baths,

as long as the fluid flowing through the particular header is below the required temperature at which the control device is set. When the flowing fluid reaches the desired temperature, the steam is shut off until such time as the temperature again falls below that for which the con trol is set.

Horizontal and vertical adjustment of the acid or water nozzles with respect to the edges of the passing blank, which was briefly suggested,

will now be considered. It is desirable for efficient treatment to have such adjustment by reason of the number of variable factors entering into the production of the most effective treatment. Among these factors may be mentioned, the length of the blanks and the width or height of the blanks.

These adjustments in the present embodiment of the invention may be made by turning, either a horizontal adjustment-shaft 22I (Figs. 6 and 11) or a vertical adjustment shaft 222 as required. This may be performed in a simple manner by applying a wrench or other suitable tool adapted to engage the square ends 223, 224 of the respective shafts.

The horizontal adjustment will first be considered. Intermediate its length, horizontal adjustment shaft 22! is journaled and restrained from axial movement, in a bearing block 225 secured intermediately of a transverse rail 226 which is mounted at its extremities on inwardly projecting ledges 221 of the frame I12. Within the bearing block 225, a spiral gear 23I is keyed to the shaft 22I and meshes with a second spiral gear 232 which is keyed to one end of a longitudinally disposed shaft 233 journaled atone end in the block 225 and above shaft 22I and at its remoteend, in a second bearing block 234 secured, about midway, to a second transverse rail 235 fixedly mounted on the frame ledges 221. Within the block 234, a spiral gear 236 is keyed to the shaft 233 and meshes with a lower spiral gear 231 keyed to a transverse shaft 24I. Shaft 24I is arranged parallel with the adjusting shaft 22I and is journaled in the block 234.

Shaft 22I (Fig. 11) is threaded adjacent its end as at 242 and such threaded end extends to the right of the block 225 threadedly engaging in a longitudinally disposed rail 243 which is slidingly supported at its ends on the transverse rails 226, 235. In the same way shaft- 2" is threaded adjacent its block 234 and it also has threaded connection in the rail 243.

Similarly, threaded portions 244 of the shafts 22I, 24I extend forwardly of the blocks 225, 234 and threadedly engage opposite ends of another longitudinally disposed rail 245, slidingly supported at its ends on the transverse rails 226, 235. The threaded portion 244 of the shaft 22I is shown in Fig. 11. The screw threads 242 of both shafts 22l and 2 are left hand, while the threaded portions 244 are right hand. Obviously when horizontal adjustment shaft 22I is rotated and shaft 2 is thereby given like rotation through the above-mentioned gear drives 23I, 232 and 236, 231, the longitudinally disposed rails 243, 245 are slid along the transverse rails 226, 235 simultaneously. Such movement may be either toward or away from each other equally on both sides of the centrally mounted bearing blocks 225, 234. Manifolds I83, I64 and their respective acid and water nozzles I65, I96 are carried on vertical guide bars 246 (Fig. 11) which are supported by and suspended from the rails 243, 245. This insures the desired horizontal adjustment for the nozzles by operation of the horizontal adjustment shaft 22I.

As to the vertical adjustment for the nozzles I65, I36, vertical guideways or channels 25I (Fig. 11) are formed in each of the manifolds I33, I64. Into these guideways, the vertical guide bars 246 have sliding engagement. A bracket plate 252 is bolted to each manifold and encloses its guide bar. There are four guide bars and four bracket plates 252 and the latter also provide threaded engagement with four vertically disposed threaded shafts 253, whereby the manifolds are adiustably supported.

The lower end of each shaft 253 is supported upon, and is journaled in an L-shaped bracket 254 which is secured to each guide bar 246 near the lower end of the bar. The upper end of each shaft is journaled in a bearing 255 formed in the lower portion of a gear housing 256 (see also Fig. 6). Two of the housings are secured to the under side of the rail 243 and two to the rail 245 and also to the guide bars 246.

Within each of the housings 256, a bevel gear 251 is keyed to the upper end of its threaded shaft 253. At the rear the bevel gears 251 mesh with bevel gears 256 keyed to a rear vertical adjustment shaft 26I and at the front there is the same gearing but the gears 256 are mounted on a front vertical adjustment shaft 262. The rear shaft 26I is journaled in bearings 263 formed in the two housings 256 secured to the rear rail 243 and also in bearings 264 in a gear housing 265 formed in the rear rail 243. The front vertical adjustment shaft 262 is journaled in a similar manner in the front rail 245, there being two other housings 256 and another gear housing 265 for this purpose.

End portions of the front and rear adjustment shafts 262, 26I where they extend into the housings 265 carry spiral gears 266 (Fig. 6) which mesh with spiral gears 261 keyed to the vertical adjustment shaft 222- which is journaled in the housings 265 and projects outwardly at the front of the machine in the square end 224 as previously' described.

Turning of the shaft 222 adjusts simultaneously all of the nozzles vertically and in equal amount to locate them properly relative to the upper blank edges of the particular heights of blank desired. This is a simple adjustment in the rotation of the shaft 222 in the proper direction and amount being transmitted through the spiral gears 266, 261, the shafts 26I, 262, bevel gears 251, 256 and thence through the vertical threaded shafts 253 which raise or lower the manifolds by virtue of their threaded connection to the bracket plates 252.

When the acid and water treated blanks reach the end of the treating chamber I1! and pass onto the discharge table 266 (Fig. 5) in their circular transfer, they move between lateral guides 266 secured to brackets 266 mounted on the sub-table 261. As each blank passes between these guides to the table 266, portions of its lower edge ride over circular cam rails 21I formed eccentrically with respect to the center of sprocket shaft I6I. These rails are bolted to the bracket I63 and cam the blank radially outwardly of the prongs I22.

When the blank is brought into its horizontal position on the discharge table, it is freed of the conveyor chains I23. This action gently places the blank upon lower conveyor belts 212 (Figs. 5, 7 and 10) which carry it under and in contact with upper conveyor belts 213. Both conveyor belts 212 and 213 are driven from an independent motor 214 which is adiustably mounted on an end wall 215 of the main frame 34. Power from the motor is transmitted through a V-belt 216, which takes over a motor pulley 211 keyed to the motor shaft 216. The belt also passes over an intermediate pulley 26I keyed to an intermediate shaft 262 journaled in a bearing 263 formed in the frame 34.

A sprocket 264 keyed to the intermediate shaft 262 further transmits power through a sprocket chain 285 to an upper sprocket 286 keyed to a lower conveyor belt drive shaft 281 which is joumaled in lower bearings 288, 289 (Figs, l0, 14) formed in end brackets 291, 292 mounted upon the sub-table 201. A spur gear 293, keyed to'the lower shaft 281 adjacent front lower bearing 288, meshes with another spur gear 294,

The upper conveyor 213 and the lower conveyor 212 each comprise six belts, each lower belt 212 being paired with an upper belt 213 immediately thereabove. All of the paired belts contact each other and move along with their driving sides in engagement when no blanks S are being conveyed between them. The lower belts 212 take over the lower pulley 301 by moving within spaced grooves 303 and also over tightening pulleys 304, 305 (Figs. 5 and 10), similarly grooved. Pulleys 304 and 305 are carried on and are keyed to a' shaft 306 journaled in an adjustment block 301 adjustably secured to the table 206 adjacent the feed-in end of the table.

Upper belts 213 (Figs. '1 and 10) take over the drive pulley 302 within spaced grooves 311 and also over tightener pulleys 312, 313 keyed to a shaft 314 journaled in an adjustment block 316 adjustably secured to the feed-in end of an upper conveyor frame 311 which is pivotaliy mounted upon the upper shaft 295 in bearings 318 formed at the discharge end of the frame.

The upper pulleys 312, 313 are spaced horizontally from the lower pulleys 304, 305. In other words the conveyor belts 212 are longer than belts 213 so that each blank S may be deposited directly upon the lower conveyor by the chain conveyor 123, without touching the upper conveyor belts 213. However, after the blank has moved horizontally a short distance with the lower conveyor belts 212, it is engaged from above by the upper conveyor belts 213. Both r belts move at the same velocity so that the blank is held between these paired moving belts for the subsequent drying operations.

Each blank S may still have an objectionable quantity 0:1. moisture clinging to its upper and lower lateral margins when the blank is received in the belts 212, 213. Much of this moisture is in the form of globules and a large part of such moisture now is removed by air blasts. Air blast units 326 (Figs. 10 and 20) are provided to direct air at high velocity outwardly along the moist surfaces, blowing the moisture away from the lateral edges of the blank. V

The air blast units 326, two in number are disposed, one on each side of the path ofthe blanks, being bolted to the brackets 269 and to brackets 328 secured to the sub-table 201. A short apron 331 (Fig. 20) forming part of each air blast unit merges toward the outer edges of the sub-table into a blast unit housing 332. The marginal edges of an advancing blank extend into and pass along the aprons 331. Such edges pass under an upper air blast distributing orifice 333 formed in an insert 334 which is securely retained in an. upper plate 336 bolted to the housing 332 and over asimilarlower orifice iii formed in an insert 333 fastened to a lower plate 339 which is secured to the apron 331. Air under pressure is conducted from any suitable source, not shown, to the orifices 333, 331 through piping 341 threadedly engaged at each discharge end in a plate 342. One such threaded plate is secured on top oi the plate 336 over an aperture 343 formed therein and with which the discharge end of the piping is aligned. Air passing through the aperture 343 enters a curved conduit 344 formed in the insert 334 and emerges from the distributing orifice 333 at relatively high velocity, so that it is directed across the top surface of the lateral margin of the blank S passing beneath. In this way the two air blast units blow off moisture from the top surfaces of the two marginal edges of the blanks.

Air delivered by the lower piping 341, similarly passes through an aperture 346 in the plate 339 and through a curved conduit 341 in the insert 338 from which it emerges through the distributing orifice 331 to pass over the lower marginal edge of the blank. The air carrying withit the collected moisture from the upper and lower margins of the blank passes within a confining channel 348 formed in the inserts 334 and 338 in the plates 336, 339,- emerging through an aperture 349 cut in the housing 332. Here it enters into a baille chamber 351.

The stream of mixed air and moisture entering the baffie chamber 351 impinges upon baiiie plates 352 formed integrally with the housing 332, whereupon the stream is diverted upwardly and substantially at right angles to the direction at which it enters the baiile chamber 351. This baiiling action dislodges most of the moisture from the air stream, such moisture adhering to the baflles 352 or to the walls of the baffle chamher 351 from which it drops by gravity to a horizontal wall 353, also formed integrally with the housing 332 and which is located immediately beneath the baflies 352. This moisture as it collects, drips over the edge of the wall 353 flowing through a slot 354 into a lower water chamber 356 formed in the bottom of the housing 332 from which chamber the water is drained through piping 351 to any suitable place of discharge.

The moisture freed air reaching the upper portions of the baflie chamber, passes through a screen 356 arranged over the upper open end of the baiiie chamber 351 and secured to the housing by a flange ring 361 fastened to a flange 362 formed in the top of the housing.

Blanks S passing from the air blast units 326 may still carry some retained or residual moisture adhering to their lateral margins and these areas are next treated as they are conveyed between radiant heaters 365. There are two sets of heaters one on each side. Each heater comprises a projector head 366 (Figs. 10 and 21) secured to a heater casing surrounding a gas heat distributing chamber 361. The heater casings are bolted to the brackets 328 and to similar brackets'368 which are mounted on and secured to the sub-table 201.

Gas or gaseous heat, from any suitable source, is supplied through piping 369- and through valves 310 to each of the distributing chambers 361. The gas is distributed in this manner to the two sets of projectors 366 arranged above and to the two sets below the blank marginal surfaces. The projectors 366 provide adequately intense radiant heat which is directed onto the marginal areas from which the retained moisture is evaporated as the blanks pass between the rows of projectors.

To prevent burning of the lower and upper belts 212, 213 as they pass the radiant heaters 366, water is circulated through chambers 3H and 312 (Figs. 7, l and 21) formed respectively in the table 266 and in the frame 3". The outer wall of the table 266 is projected upwardly to provide a shield 316 (Fig. 21) which extends between the lower belts and the lower radiant heaters 366. In like manner the outerwall of the frame 3 is projected downwardly to provide a shield 316 which extends between the upper belts and the upper radiant heaters 366.

Horizontal adjustment of the lateral guides 266, the air blast units 326 and the radiant heaters 366 may be made to accommodate the particular length of blank being treated, see Fig. 10. This may be effected by loosening bolts 316 which pass through elongated slots cut through the brackets 263, 323 and 366, the bolts in each case being threaded into the sub-table 261. When proper adjustment has been made by sliding the brackets over the table the required amount, the bolts 316 are again tightened securely.

The dried blanks are discharged from the end of the conveyor belts 212, 213 into a stacked sheet retaining device 316 (Figs. "I, and 14). This device comprises stack support members 311, 316' secured to the lower ends of support arms 36l, 362 which are keyed to transverse shafts 363, 366 iournaled in extension brackets 366, 361, 366, 363 mounted on extension supports 39L 332 secured to the sub-table 261. Each blank emerging from the conveyor belts, passes over lower guides 333 and is stopped against vertical guides 336, then drops by gravity between these guides and downwardly bent portions 396 of the lower guides 393. Such a dropping blank is guided at its ends between guide plates 361 adjustably secured to a crossbar 396 fixed at its ends in the extension brackets 366 and 369.

The blank comes to rest in a horizontal position either upon inwardly bent ledges 333 of the support members 311 or upon a stack of blanks supported on those ledges. The support members 311 rest against the vertical guides 336, 396, their supporting arms 36i, 362 being designed so that their centers of gravity lie outside of planes passed perpendicularly through the axes of the shafts 363, 366.

When the operator desires to remove the sheets stacked in this manner, he releases them by actuation of a lever 666 (Figs. 10 and 14) keyed to a longitudinally disposed shaft 661 journaled in the brackets 361, 369. The movement imparted to the lever 666 is communicated to the transverse shafts 363, 366 through levers 6, 612 keyed to the shaft 661 and engaging at their free ends rollers 6 l3, 6 pivotally secured to the free ends of other levers 6, 6H keyed to the transvers shafts 363, 366. The shaft support arms 36l, 362 keyed to the transverse shafts are thus rocked and the support ledges 339 vof the support members 311 swing outwardly and away from their supporting positions under the stack. Thus released, the stack drops by gravity onto a platform 62l (see also Fig. 7) of a truck 622 adapted to be positioned directly beneath the stack retaining device.

The released stack of sheets falls to the truck, being guided by the end guides 331. Truck guide members 623 secured to the platform I also assist in this discharge. The guide members 623 are fastened to a truck frame 626 and the frame is supported on four wheels 626 rotatably mounted in the'frame and resting in guideways 626 which are formed in rails 621 bolted to an extension support 626 which in turn is secured to the end wall 216 of the base 36. The truck 622 may be pushed in or out .of blank receiving posiion, being retained normally in alignment with and under the stacking device. An adiustable stop "I (Fig. 7) attached to the end of the subtable 261 provides a. stop against which the truck abuts.

It is retained in this position by a latch 632 carried on the truck which engages a hook member 633 secured to a transverse web 636 of the extension support 626. Latch 632 is formed in the free end of a bell crank lever handle 636 (see also Fig. 16) which is pivotally mounted on a pin 631 fixed in the truck frame 626. The latch is urged into locking position by a spring 636 interposed between the latch and the truck frame, as viewed in Fig. 7. To withdraw the truck from under the stacking device, the operator grasps a handle grip 633 at the outer extension of the bell crank lever 636 and pulls the truck forward, the latch moving about the pin 631 in a clockwise direction which releases the hook 633. The truck is moved on the rails 621 until the truck frame 626 engages a pair of stop plates 6 secured to the ends of the rails 621. The outer position is indicated in full lines in Fig. 10 and in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

Adjustment of the stacking device 316 to adapt it to the particular width of the blank S bein treated, may be obtained by loosening bolts 662 (Fig. 14) which pass through elongated slots 663, formed in the crossbar 366. These bolts have threaded engagement with the side guides 331..

With the bolts loosened, the guides may be moved to their proper positions. When this adjustment is made the bolts are tightened.

Adjustment of the stacking device for the particular length of the blank S is made by the rotation of either a rear hand wheel 666 (Figs. '1, 10 and 14) or a front hand wheel 665. Each hand wheel is keyed to one of a pair of shafts 666 journaled in a gear housing 661 which is secured to the front bracket 366 or to the rear bracket 369. The inner end of each shaft 666 has threaded engagement with the bracket 366 or with the bracket 361. When either hand wheel is turned, the rotation of its particular shaft 666 is transmitted to the other shaft 666 through a cross shaft 666 which is journaled in each housing 661 wherein it is geared to each of the shafts 666 by a suitable bevel gear drive. Such a drive is shown at the right hand top corner in Fig. 10 and is designated by the numeral 651. Brackets 366, 369 are slidably mounted on the extension supports 33 I, 332 and may be drawn toward, or moved away from the fixed brackets 366, 361 simultaneously, in accordance with the rotation of the shafts 666 which threadedly engage in the brackets.

Wiring connections to the several electrical units on the machine are shown in a direct current wiring diagram, Fig. '15 and an alternating current wiring diagram, Fig. 16 and consideration of this phase of the machine will now be had.

Considering first the direct current, wires 655 conduct current from any suitable source, not shown, to a switch 656 which, when closed, permits the current to flow through wires 651, 666 to distributing wires 66l, 662, across which several units may be connected in parallel circuits.

As an example of one such control unit there: is shown in this diagram a control which relates to actuation of the clutch control electromagnet L.

Current for this unit flows from the wire 48|, as long as the switch 458 is closed, passing through a wire 411 which connects to the coils of the magnet. Current from the electromagnet 5| returns to the distributing wire 482 through a wire 418. This energizes the electromagnet 5|.

This electromagnet operates as a latch device for connecting parts of the clutch 48 with cam moved elements. The electromagnet is mounted on a bearing bracket 480 (Fig. 3) which is secured to the frame 35. Bracket 480 carries a pivot shaft 48| on which two arms 482 and 483 are mounted. The arm 482 is in front of the shaft 41 and in front of a sliding grooved collar member 484 mounted on the shaft and constituting a sliding part of the clutch 48. The arm 483 is located just in back of the collar member, the upper part of this arm extending higher than the arm 482, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In the same horizontal plane with the shaft 41, the arms 482 and 483 each carry pins 485 which extend into the groove (designated by the numeral 488) of the collar member 484.

A second bracket 481 also mounted on the frame 35 adjacent the bracket 480 pivotally supports a lever arm 488 which extends vertically alongside and in back of a barrel cam 489 carried on the shaft 41. This lever arm carries a cam roller 490 intermediate its length which extends into and operates with the groove of the barrel cam 489. The top of the lever arm 488 extends to a level above the barrel cam 489 and pivot-ally connects at 49| with a horizontally disposed latch member 492, the forward or free end of which is shaped as a catch hook 493 which is adapted when the latch member is in a lowered position to engaged the top of the arm 483.

The shaft 41 rotating continuously during the operation of the machine oscillates the lever arm 488 back and forth through its cam and roller connection 489 and 490 and carries with it the latch member 492. When the latch member is in raised position. Which is the position illustrated in Fig. 3, its catch hook 493 is above and out of engagement with the upper end of the arm 483. This is the normal position and the clutch 46 is in driving connection with the drive shaft. The electromagnet 5| is the operating element used to raise or lower the latch member 492 and this normal or clutched position exists when the electromagnet 5| is energized and the latch member 492 is raised.

The latch member 492 is connected to the solenoid core of the electromagnet 5| by means of a link 494 and as long as current flows through the magnet the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3. However when the switch'456 is opened, the magnet 5| becomes deenergized and then a spring inside the magnet lowers the solenoid core and pulling down on the link 494 rocks the latch member 492 downwardly so that its hooked end 493 engages the collar 488. Thereafter when the latch member is drawn back under action of the cam 489 the collar member is separated from the rest of the clutch 46 and the clutch is opened. The shaft 45 and all parts connected therewith thereupon cease operating and the feeding of blanks into the conveyor chains I23 also ceases.

Where stop devices are used the various electric controls .may be inserted in this direct current diagram. In other words such circuits would be interposed between the distributing wires 46!,

operating mechanisms are inactive.

452. Since such stop devices may vary according to the needs of operation and since such are not needed for an understanding of the invention, they will not be illustrated or referred to further.

For the alternating phase of electric current, reference should be had to Fig. 16 which shows diagrammatically, three-wire alternating circuits connecting the several driving motors of the machine to a source of power, not shown. These will now be considered in some detail. Wires 5 lead from a suitable source of electric energy and conduct the current to a master service switch 5|2 which, when closed, permits the current to flow to three distributing wires 5|3, from which the five motors each derive their power.

The motor for the acid or deoxidant pump unit I18 will first be considered. Tap wires 5| 4 connect the distributing wires 5|3 with a switch 5|6. This switch when closed, permits the current to flow through motor wires 5|1 leading to distributing wires of a motor 5|8 which is the motor for the unit I18.

The water pump unit I98 is next in order. For its motor, current may flow through tap wires 52 I, through a service switch 522 and motor wires 523 to a motor 524 which drives the water pump unit.

The ventilator unit I13 operates in the same manner. For this purpose tap wires 528 connect to a service switch 521 and motor wires 528 conduct current to a motor 53| which drives the ventilator unit.

The main drive motor 50, which rotates the main drive shaft 41 for operation of the conveyors I23 and other main working parts also receives its driving energy from the distributing wires 5|3. Tap wires 532 are used in this case, these wires leading to a switch 533. Current .passing through the switch leads directly into the motor 58 by way of motor wires 534.

The discharge drive motor 214 is the last to be considered. In this case tap Wires 538 leading through a switch 531 pass current through motor wires 538 for the discharge motor.

It will be observed by considering these two sets of circuits of Figs. 15 and 16, that the main motors, 50, 214, 5|8, 524 and 53| may all be stopped by pulling the master switch 5|2 or may be individually controlled. This permits operating of certain parts of the machine while other The feeding of blanks into the machine for example may be terminated when desired by opening the switch 456 and this will not affect operation of any of the main motors of the machine.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for treating metallic sheets to permit soldering or welding thereof. the combination of means for conveying the sheets through the machine. means disposed above the path of said sheets for ejecting downwardly a stream of a liquid deoxidizing medium against localized portrons only -thereof to deoxidize such portions, means thereafter disposed in the path of said sheets for ejecting a liquid washing medium against said localized portions of the sheets to remove said deoxidizing medium after the deoxidizing operation, and devices for adjustably moving said deoxidizing means and said washing means to change their position relative to the sheets to adapt the machine to the treatment of sheets of different dimensions.

2. In a machine for treating metallic sheets to permit soldering or welding thereof, the combination of means for confining and conveying the sheets through the machine, a nozzle disposed above the path of said sheets for ejecting downwardly a stream of a liquid deoxidizing medium against localized edge portions only thereof to deoxidize such portions, an auxiliary nozzle also disposed above the path of said sheets for ejecting downwardly a stream of a liquid washing medium against said localized edge portions of the sheets to remove said deoxidizing medium after the deoxidizing operation, means disposed further in the path of the sheets for drying the same after the deoxidizing and washing operations, and devices for bodily adjusting said nozzles and said drying means relative to the path of travel of the sheets to position said nozzles and drying means for treatment of the localized edge portions of sheets having different and varying dimensions.

3. In a machine for treating metallic can body blanks to permit soldering or welding of side seam edges thereof, the combination of means for confining and conveying the blanks in vertical position through the machine, a plurality of nozzles disposed in the path of said blanks and arranged on both sides and above the side seam edges thereof for ejecting liquid deoxidizing medium downwardly along the localized edges only to deoxidize the same, a plurality of auxiliary nozzles also disposed in the path of said blanks and also arranged on both sides and above the side seam edges for ejecting liquid washing medium downwardly along the localized edges to remove said deoxidizing medium after the deoxidizing operation, a blotting device for partially removing moisture from the edges of said blanks, means operating with said conveyor for placing said blanks in horizontal position, feeding means for further conveying said blanks while in horizontal position, air blast means operating along the edges of said blanks while so conveyed to blow off moisture therefrom, and means for separating the air and the retained moisture from said air blast.

4. In a machine for treating metallic sheets of black plate and the like to permit soldering or welding thereof, the combination of means for continuously conveying the sheets through the machine, a plurality of nozzles disposed at opposite sides of and above the path of travel of said sheets for directing streams of a liquid deoxidizing medium downwardly against localized edge portions only to deoxidize the same, means for collecting said deoxidizing liquid after flowing over the sheet edges. a pump line for recirculating said collected liquid and for delivering it under pressure to said nozzles, and auxiliary nozzles also disposed in the path'of and abovesaid sheets for ejecting streams of water over the deoxidized areas to wash off the same.

5. In a machine for treating can body blanks formed from black plate and the like to permit soldering or welding thereof, the combination of means for continuously conveying the blanks through the machine, a plurality of nozzles disposed at opposite sides of and above the path of travel of said blanks for directing streams of liquid deoxidizing medium downwardly against localized edge portions only to deoxidize the same, means for supplying said nozzles with the deoxidizing medium under pressure, heating means for maintaining the deoxidizing medium at a desired temperature, auxiliary nozzles also disposed in the path of and above said blanks,

for ejecting streams of water over the deoxidized areas to wash oil the same, and heating means for maintaining the wash water at a desired temperature.

6. In a machine for treating sheets of black plate and the like to permit soldering or welding thereof, the combination of a continuously moving conveyor for feeding the sheets through the machine in a vertical position while confined on the conveyor, a plurality of nozzles disposed in the path of and above said sheets for ejecting streams of a liquid deoxidizing medium downwardly against localized edge portions only thereof to deoxidize the same, a plurality of secondary nozzles later disposed in the path of and above the sheets for ejecting streams of water downwardly against said localized edge portions to remove the deoxidizing medium therefrom, a discharge conveyor for conveying sheets in a horizontal position, means for transferring the sheets from vertical position into horizontal position on to said discharge conveyor, air blast means for blowing moisture from the washed edges of the sheets while they are carried on said discharge conveyor, and radiant heating devices located above and below the edges of the horizontal sheets on the discharge conveyor for evaporating the remaining moisture to dry the treated sheets thoroughly.

"I. In a machine for treating sheets of black plate and the like to permit soldering or welding thereof, the combination of a continuously moving conveyor for feeding the sheets through the machine, a plurality of nozzles disposed at opposite sides of and above the path of travel of said sheets for ejecting streams of a liquid deoxidizing medium downwardly against localized edgeportions only to deoxidize the same, a plurality of secondary nozzles later disposed on opposite sides of and above the path of travel of the sheets for ejecting streams of water downwardly against said localized edge portions to remove the deoxidizing medium therefrom, means for supplying said deoxidizing medium and said water to the deoxidizing and to the water nozzles respectively, heating means for heating said deoxidizing medium and said water, and thermostatic instrumentalities for controlling said heating means to provide a predetermined temperature of said deoxidizing medium and of said water. 7

8. In a machine for treating sheets of black plate and the like to permit soldering or welding thereof, the combination of means for conveying the sheets through the machine in spaced vertical position, a discharge nozzle disposed in the path of and above the moving sheets for projecting downwardly a continuous stream of a liquid deoxidizing medium which flows over 10- calized edge portions only of the sheet to deoxidize the same, said nozzle having a restricted orifice at the top where the deoxidizing liquid enters and which leads into a larger passageway .in the lower end of said nozzle to make the discharging liquid stream uniform, and an auxiliary nozzleof similar construction also disposed in the path of and above the sheets for projecting downwardly a continuous stream of water said magazine to said conveying means, nozzle means disposed in the path of the moving blanks carried by said conveyor for projecting streams of a liquid deoxidizing medium so that the conveyed blanks have their side seam edge portions only subjected to the liquid streams to deoxidize the same, auxiliary nozzle means also disposed in the path of the blanks for ejecting streams of water against the deoxidized edge portions of the blanks to remove the deoxidizing medium, air blast means effective at the washed edges of the blanks for projecting air against both surfaces of the blanks to remove moisture therefrom, and radiant heating devices mounted in the machine on opposite sides of the moving blanks for projecting and radiating heat from opposite directions to further dry the blanks.

10. In a machine for treating metallic sheets to permit soldering or welding thereof, the combination of a sheet conveyor for conveying successive sheets through the machine, feeding devices for feeding sheets to said conveyor, a de oxidizing manifold extending longitudinally of the machine above the path of travel of the sheets, a row of nozzles secured into said manifold and arranged to project a deoxidizlng medium from the manifold as continuous streams to contact localized edge portions only of the conveyed sheets to deoxidize the same, a water manifold disposed adjacent said deoxidizingmanifold above the path of travel of the sheets, a row of nozzles secured in said water manifold and arranged to project continuous streams of clean water over a greater area relative to the edge portions of the sheets than is covered by said deoxidizing streams to wash residual deoxidizing medium from all portions of said sheets, a stacking device for stacking said deoxidized sheets, and a discharge conveyor for transferring the deoxidized sheets from said sheet conveyor to said stacking device.

11. In a machine for treating sheets of black plate and the like to permit soldering or welding thereof, the combination of a horizontally disposed conveyor for conveying sheets to be:

treated, means disposed at opposite sides of and above the path of travel of the moving sheets for projecting downwardly in a vertical direction a stream of deoxidizing liquid directed along a side edge portion of a said sheet while the same is carried by said conveyor to deoxidize said edge portion of the sheet, means for washing said deoxidizing medium from said sheet side edge vportion after the liquid has performed its function, feeding devices at the entrance end of the machine for successively feeding sheets to said conveyor, sheet stacking instrumentalities located at the discharge end of the machine for stacking the deoxidized sheets, feeding devices for transferring said sheets from said conveyor into stacking position in said stacking instrumentalities, and manually operated unloading mechanism for extracting a stack of treated sheets from said stacking instrumentalities.

12. In a machine for treating sheets of black projecting a stream of a liquid deoxidizing medium, to between said sheets and against localized edge portions only thereof to deoxidize the same, an auxiliary nozzle means also disposed in the path of the sheets for ejecting a stream of water against the deoxidized edge portions of the sheets to remove the remaining deoxidizing medium, a motor for operating the machine, a drive shaft continuously rotated by said motor when the latter operates, a clutch member mounted on said drive shaft and providing operating connection between said feeding devices and said drive shaft, and control means for disconnecting said clutch to stop the feeding of sheets to said conveyor while the latter continues to operate from said drive shaft.

13. In a machine for treating metallic blanks to permit soldering or welding side seam areas along opposite edges of the blank, the combination of means for conveying the blanks through the machine in upright position and with the side seam edges at the sides, a deoxidizing manifold located on each side of and above the path I of travel of the blanks for receiving a supply of a liquid deoxidizing medium, a row of nozzles secured into the bottom of said manifold and arranged to project said deoxidizing medium in continuous vertically directed streams along said side seam areas of the blanks to deoxidize the same, a water manifold disposed on each side of and above the path of travel of the blanks for receiving a supply of water, Water nozzles secured into the bottom of said water manifolds and arranged to project continuous vertically directed streams of water over said deoxidized side seams, and devices for simultaneously moving both of said deoxidizing manifolds laterally and also vertically to adapt the nozzles to the required length and width for the particular blank size, and other devices for adjusting said water manifolds in the same manner.

14. Ina machine for treating sheets of black plate and the like to permit soldering or welding' thereof, the combination of a magazine for holding a stack of sheets, a horizontal endless chain conveyor for conveying and confining therebetween sheets to be treated, feeding devices for feeding sheets individually from said magazine to said-conveyor, means disposed in the path of the moving sheets for projecting deoxidizing liquid along the two vertical edge portions of a said sheet while the same is carried by said conveyor to deoxidize said edge portions,

means for washing off the said deoxidizing medium after it has performed its function, a blotting device for partially removing moisture from the edges of said sheets, air blast means efiective on the deoxidized edges of the sheets for blowing off more moisture, radiant heating devices located in the path of travel of the sheets for evaporating the remaining moisture on the sheets, a stacking device for the sheets, a discharge conveyor for transferring the deoxidized sheets from said sheet conveyor to said stacking device, and adjusting means for adjusting all of the aforementioned sheet treating parts of the machine to the particular size of sheet being operated on.

CUS'IIS S. WOOLFORD. 

